Carnero Guard Station
Saguache, Colorado · 9,826 ft · In Rio Grande National Forest
Photos: Rio Grande National Forest, Saguache Ranger District
Wildfire 48 mi W: Elk, 7,257 acres, 90% contained
At a glance
6 of 8 facts known · recreation.gov, checked Sep 24, 2026
- Elevation
- 9,826 ft (2,995 m)9,826 ft2,995 m
Loops1
Pick a loop to see its sites.
From recreation.gov's site list, Oct 10, 2026. Loop names are trimmed and merged.
Amenities
From Recreation.gov, Recreation.gov — campground rate cards, USDA Forest Service — Recreation Opportunities · Correct
- Campfires allowed
From Recreation.gov, Recreation.gov — campground rate cards, USDA Forest Service — Recreation Opportunities
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About
Overview
Carnero Guard Station is situated in a high open meadow surrounded by forest at an elevation of 9,840 feet. The high-elevation cabin is located in the north-central area of the San Luis Valley in the Rio Grande National Forest.
The guard station was first proposed in 1907 by the Cochetopa National Forest, and was originally named the John Smith Ranger Station after a homesteader who built a cabin near the site, but never filed on the land. Construction on the cabin began in 1908 and the name was changed to the Carnero Guard Station in 1916.Recreation
From Recreation.gov, Recreation.gov — campground rate cards, and USDA Forest Service — Recreation Opportunities · · Edit
Cell service
Report signalFCC map: no coverage reported
- VerizonNo coverage on FCC map
- AT&TNo coverage on FCC map
- T-MobileNo coverage on FCC map
Cell service at Carnero Guard Station: FCC map Dec 2025
Weather
National Weather Service
- WedSlight Chance T-storms, 76% chance of rain39°24°
- ThuMostly Sunny, 2% chance of rain47°23°
- FriSunny49°26°
- SatMostly Sunny, 2% chance of rain52°32°
- SunMostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers, 15% chance of rain52°32°
Nearby camping
SeeSee all on the map
Camp site
Dispersed · 0.8 mi · Saguache
Camp site
Dispersed · 1.0 mi · Saguache
Camp site
Dispersed · 1.0 mi · Saguache
3 more within 25 mi
6 OpenStreetMap entries in Saguache share one park. They may be individual sites of a single campground. Suggest a merge
Dispersed camping nearby
Free dispersed camping within 19 mi, on public land.
- 0.8 mi
Camp site
Saguache, CO · On U.S. Forest Service land · Rio Grande National Forest
- 1.0 mi
Camp site
Saguache, CO · On U.S. Forest Service land · Rio Grande National Forest
- 1.0 mi
Camp site
Saguache, CO · On U.S. Forest Service land · Rio Grande National Forest
- 1.0 mi
Camp site
Saguache, CO · On U.S. Forest Service land · Rio Grande National Forest
- 1.1 mi
Camp site
Saguache, CO · On U.S. Forest Service land · Rio Grande National Forest
- 1.1 mi
Camp site
Saguache, CO · On U.S. Forest Service land · Rio Grande National Forest
Location and contact
Data from Recreation Information Database (RIDB) / Recreation.gov, Recreation.gov — campground rate cards, USDA Forest Service — Recreation Opportunities
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